Acts 7 contains the longest speech in the book of Acts, delivered by Stephen before the Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin). Stephen answers false charges of speaking against the temple and the law of Moses by recounting Israel’s history, highlighting how the nation repeatedly rejected God's chosen leaders (like Joseph and Moses), and culminating in Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr.
Stephen's Speech: A Review of Israel's History
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The Pattern of Rejection: Stephen walks through the stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. He shows that the patriarchs rejected Joseph before he saved them, and the Israelites rejected Moses before he delivered them.
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The Temple and God's Presence: He argues that God is not confined to a building made by human hands, reminding the leaders that the tabernacle and temple were secondary to obeying God's voice.
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The Accusation: He turns the tables on the council, calling them stiff-necked and accusing them of mirroring their ancestors by rejecting and murdering Jesus, the "Righteous One".
The Stoning of Stephen
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The Vision: Before his death, Stephen looks up and sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
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Martyrdom and Forgiveness: The enraged crowd drags him outside the city and stones him to death. Like Jesus, Stephen dies praying for his killers, asking God not to hold the sin against them.
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Introduction of Saul: A young man named Saul (who later becomes the Apostle Paul) watches over the coats of the men executing Stephen, setting the stage for his dramatic conversion in the next chapter
STORY OF STEPHEN VISUAL
